Help protect your home and neighborhood by clearing around fire hydrants after every snowfall.

Snow accumulation is the result of plowing and snow clearing, and can completely cover or restrict access to fire hydrant. With all the snow we’ve had this winter, and the cold temperatures that have limited melting, this is becoming a problem throughout the city.

Hydrants covered in snow means a slower response to responding to and extinguishing fires. This can result in catastrophic consequences if firefighters have to spend time locating a buried hydrant and/or clearing snow away from it, especially if the snow is heavily compacted from snow plowing and frigid temperatures. Keep in mind that firefighters need to access the sides of the hydrant, not just the top.

A hydrant covered in snow like the one pictured is not usable and will require the firefighters to dig it out, which wastes valuable time when responding to a fire.

So what should you do?

If you have a fire hydrant in front of or adjacent to your home or business, please clear all the snow at least three feet around it on all sides after every snowfall. Make sure that the hydrant is easily visible from the road, and that there is enough room for firefighters to maneuver around it to easily connect fire hoses to it. The more often the snow is cleared, and the sooner it is after a fresh snow, the easier it is.

Remember, it’s the entire neighborhood’s responsibility to keep their hydrants clear, since all properties benefit from the protection they provide.

If there is a hydrant in your neighborhood that isn’t being cleared by the homeowner, or if you know of an elderly or disabled homeowner that struggles to clear snow, then “adopt a hydrant” and make it part of your shoveling and snow clearing routine. It will only take a few extra minutes, and is a quick and easy way to help the Wyocena Bureau of Fire help you and your neighbors should a fire ever occur.